Three weeks earlier Mr Barry had accused dad-of-two Sarsfield of an extremely serious offence, but the court heard the allegation was unfounded.

When Sarsfield then bumped into Mr Barry, working at the Oxton Bar and Terrace, Oxton, he flew into a rage.

He began shouting and lunged towards him with a four inch blade, causing a cut to his chest.

Jailing him for 21 months, Judge Ian Trigger said: “I accept that there was a measure of provocation, which at least explains the start of this incident.”

But he told Sarsfield, who clutched a rosary: "You used that blade to lunge towards Mr Barry, mercifully he sustained no serious injury, but a moment's reflection will make anyone realise that you easily could have caused him serious injury, particularly as one sustained injury was in the region of his left chest."

Ian Harris, prosecuting, told the court Sarsfield continued to be aggressive and threatened to kill Mr Barry even when another bouncer, Christopher Merchant, tried to end the violence.

Sarsfield, who has one previous conviction for assault in1998, then burst into the main bar, scaring drinkers inside.

He was described by witnesses as “aggressive, wound up and really tense”.

Sarsfield, of North Dingle, Kirkdale, later admitted unlawful wounding, possession of a knife and affray on October 25, last year.

But Christopher Stables, defending, said Sarsfield had been provoked by Mr Barry's "scandalous" accusation.

He said: “He acted on the back of the allegations that would completely have destroyed his character – he acted in the heat of the moment.”

“The event was not planned or premeditated.”

Mr Stables told the court Sarsfield had been "acutely and intensely" effected by the unsubstantiated allegations because of his reputation in boxing circles.

He added: "The defendant lived for many years in the area and is a well-known figure.

“He has been a very keen and talented amateur boxer associated with Vauxhall Motor Amateur Boxing Club and Merseyside and Cheshire Amateur Boxing Club.”

He added that on January 2, the Crown Prosecution Service had confirmed no action would be taken against Sarsfield in connection with the allegation.